Stern is doing the renovation of 1 Wall Street, and using a similar precast mix and when they showed the comparison between it and the limestone it was hard to tell which was which.

If the building was originally cladded in limestone in my opinion it's better to use limestone during the renovation. Why would they use concrete, is it because they want to reduce the cost, or maybe the concrete has some sort of advantages compared to the limestone?

If the building was originally cladded in limestone in my opinion it's better to use limestone during the renovation. Why would they use concrete, is it because they want to reduce the cost, or maybe the concrete has some sort of advantages compared to the limestone?

Both. Concrete is definitely cheaper. Doesn't require being quarried and transported (and of course if a piece breaks or fractures you'll have to account for overages). Limestone is much more porous and much more prone to being affected by smog, pollution, etc. Many of the recently renovated Wall Street buildings went through pretty deep cleanings. Also expansion/contraction is an issue with weather (not a big issue mind you, but has to be engineered - can't have limestone popping off the tower). One Wall Street has had a number of issues over the years with its facade, and given the building is being converted to residential use (meaning that it is unlikely major work will be done on the property going forward for a long time) whatever is being done needs to last for a while.

Also the facade curtain assembly to hold stone is a bit more complex and thus more expensive. The assembly for 15 CPW was specially engineered by Vidaris, a prominent curtain wall consultant (I'm sure they're handling 520 Park and 220 CPS -- they also designed the curtain system for 30 Park Place). Stone clad towers aren't unprecedented, they were in fashion even well into the 1990s though the materials used in those years was often marble or granite. The marble on the Standard Oil Building in Chicago famously had to be replaced and that facade assembly completely redone after it began to fail.

I personally however am a purist and would've liked to see the building restored with limestone but I understand why Macklowe might be hesitant. With One Wall Street, there are actually two buildings. The original Ralph Walker building and then an annex that was built in the 1960s, and I'm not sure what the cladding of the annex is. It may in fact be concrete given the era.

__________________We are seeking to follow the type of architecture which is good in the sense that it does not of necessity follow the whims of the moment but seeks an artistry that ought to be good, as far as we can tell, for all time to come. -FDR

Actually US Flag protocol is a very sensitive and specific topic. The order of flags is never arbitrary with the US flag typically being extreme left or extreme right (in most states, there are specific protocols to the order of the display of multiple flags). If the center pole was more prominent, then the US flag occupies the most prominent position. A property like the Four Seasons, which intends for international clientele as well as high-end US patrons will have likely retained the services of a protocol expert like Charles MacPherson and will have had a program developed for the proper rotation of flags as well staff protocols for dealing with international guests.

__________________We are seeking to follow the type of architecture which is good in the sense that it does not of necessity follow the whims of the moment but seeks an artistry that ought to be good, as far as we can tell, for all time to come. -FDR

__________________We are seeking to follow the type of architecture which is good in the sense that it does not of necessity follow the whims of the moment but seeks an artistry that ought to be good, as far as we can tell, for all time to come. -FDR

This tower might have the basic shape of a 30s era tower, but it certanly doesnt have the sleek and nice proportions, neither does it have the details and grace it tries to mimic. While i like it as an addition to the skyline for filling it, i certainly dislike the bay windows at its sides, the details that just look like a disgraceful afterthought etc.